ED 250 02 08

Reference code

ED 250 02 08

Title

Papers of William Brown, d.1812

Level

Sub-series

Administrative / Biographical history

William was the only son of Charles Brown. He came to Eton in 1794 but stayed only a short time and in 1798 became a cornet in the 13 Regiment (Light) Dragoons, being promoted to captain in 1804. He needed constant supplies of funds, which may have played some part in his father's financial problems, but married (without telling his family) in December 1804. The following year he exchanged into the 94th Regiment and sailed with his wife, Mary Campbell McDougall, 1786 - 1814, to join them in India. He returned in 1808 and he and his wife proceeded to run up large bills which his father had to pay. An exchange into the 5th West India Regiment was arranged and early in 1809 he sailed for Honduras, leaving his wife behind. Shortly afterwards she eloped with William's childhood friend Lord Mountjoy, (Charles John Gardiner, 1782 - 1829, Earl of Blesington) whom she married in July 1812, less than two months after her husband's death and less than a month before the birth of their daughter Harriet.